Mike Zelenak couldn’t imagine another place to open his tapas, dessert and wine lounge than the downtown Public Square. He didn’t think the concept would fit anywhere else.
“It seemed like the perfect place,” he said.
Maple Street Uncorked is located on the second floor above Mike and Debbie Zelenak’s restaurant Maple Street Grill.
Mike Zelenak said he wanted to open the bar because Murfreesboro doesn’t have anything like it. He visited places like St. Louis, Atlanta and Tampa to do research on the concept.
The Zelenaks are one of three downtown business owners being honored by the Main Street organization as Downtown Business Person of the Year for their commitment to downtown and their decision to open a second business on the Public Square.
Judy Goldie is being recognized for opening Bella’s Boutique on the Square in August. She has owned and operated Trendy Pieces on the Square for more than two years.
Liquid Smoke owner Mike LaMure also is being honored for opening The Humidor about two years ago. He has owned Liquid Smoke, next door for eight years.
“We think that is headline news that there are three business owners who have opened second locations,” said Kathleen Herzog, director of Main Street. “I think it is amazing myself, and apparently, they have been very successful.”
Herzog said the Zelenaks, Goldie and LaMure all have “optimism and a positive attitude. They love downtown. They are hard workers. They develop relationships with their customers. They are special people.
“They work hard, and they have brought a whole lot to the Square and we are really glad they are here,” she said.
The awards will be presented at Main Street’s 26th annual meeting Feb. 22 at Maple Street Uncorked from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Admission is $25.
Zelenak said he is “honored” by the award. “It was totally unexpected.”
Opening the tapas and wine bar is something Zelenak had wanted to do for five years. The lounge provides an upscale atmosphere plus a different selection of wines.
“This is something that is a little bit more unique that people were ready for,” he said.
Judy Goldie loves the Public Square. She opened Bella’s Boutique to bring more shopping options to downtown.
Bella’s Boutique, next door to Trendy Pieces on South Church Street, sells contemporary women’s clothing aimed towards women 30 years and older. Bella’s also carries cute and comfortable shoes and boots, jewelry and handbags.
LaMure said he is “really happy to be honored” by Main Street. “We love being downtown and it really mean something to be recognized. He hated to see downtown lose its only cigar store about two and a half years ago.
“We hated to see downtown lose something like that,” LaMure said. “We wanted to take care of their customers.”
So six months after 310 Pipe & Tobacco closed, LaMure opened The Humidor.
The Humidor is a full service tobacco store selling thousands of cigars, house blends of tobacco and assorted tobacco products.
The Humidor is unique because the entire 2,000-square-foot store is humidified allowing LaMure to place cigars right on the shelf. He suspects his store is the largest humidor in the state
LaMure said he loves the uniqueness of the Public Square. Downtown is inviting with its restaurants, shops and bars.
“We love it down here,” he said. |
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